Looking back at Mongolia

Wow, it is amazing how busy two little girls can keep a guy! That is certainly what I have been feeling with Jami sort of out of commission with being on bed rest. Because of that this post feels a bit outdated, but it is certainly worth it. I want to share about the trip the "triggered" this tough time for us. Okay, so the trip didn't really do that, but it sure feels like something crazy happens in the family every time I travel somewhere for a little while. Back in January I was invited to come to participate in a mission conference in Mongolia at the beginning of November. What I didn't realize at the time was that I was going to be given the opportunity to stand up and share with over 500 Mongolian brothers and sisters representing 81 churches and 10 mission organizations. I shared from the book of Acts, looking at the multicultural mission team that traveled with Paul, and how that was such a great testimony, and how today we can be a great testimony as we work together as Mongolians and Russians and Buryats and Americans. God loves it when we don't let cultural differences destroy our fellowship and service together, but honor and love each other as who God has made us to be. It was so encouraging to me to see this large group of Mongolians worshiping their creator in their language. I hope that I will get to see more and more Buryats able to do the same thing. God even opened up some opportunities to talk to people who are interested in moving to Russia to help bring the good news to people here, and we are trying to look at ways we can better connect the churches in Russia and Mongolia so that we can work together. Hopefully we will even do some sort of training together this coming year. Please pray that God will lead us in how we should continue to network together to see the good news spread!

Fumes

I probably should not be writing a blog right now, as all I can really think about are fumes. They've been painting in our hallway the past few days, and the fumes are SO STRONG! We've had our windows open and I've shut myself in the back room, but we can't fully get away. Leif told me yesterday that they even painted our door. It used to be a nice wood color. Now it matches the walls! I'm sure the hallways are much nicer, and we're thankful for the improvements. I will just be very happy when the fumes are gone.


The I.V. treatment worked temporarily but didn't stop the contractions. Now I'm on a couple of other medicines. I passed the sugar test, so I'm assuming that means no gestational diabetes.

Even though my feelings are kind of like a roller coaster right now, God keeps reminding me to trust Him and He keeps showing me how much we have to be thankful for through this hard time. I will write more on this in the days to come (right now I have a headache from the fumes), but I'll share a couple now. I had to wean Ella suddenly when the contractions started. I had planned on nursing her these winter months to give her the added benefit of antibodies. And with all of the guests and changes and the move, it seemed like weaning her wouldn't have been good in the middle of those times. But anyways, she used to NEED her Mama all of the time and was totally jealous of anyone else who got my attention. But now she happily goes to lots of people and is content without me. This is so nice to know that she's happy, and it will help prepare her for the new baby, I'm sure. I've also had some really nice times with Anneka, talking and reading together. Almost every night I let her fall asleep next to me while I sing to her and rub her head. (and Leif carries her to her own bed later). It's been really sweet to have this time with her.

Okay, my head won't last any longer. Thank you for your continued prayers!

I.V.s and More Help

So, it's been concluded that I have too much amniotic fluid and that's what's causing the contractions. The baby is big- weighing over 3.5 pounds (and he's only 27 weeks). My Ob/Gyn in the States wants me tested for gestational diabetes, as this often causes too much fluid. I'll get the glucose screening test on Monday. To stop the contractions I'm on an I.V. of magnesium every other day and on the off days I have an I.V. of some sort of nutrient from a calf that's supposed to help the baby. I'll get these I.V.s for 10 days. Already I've noticed a huge difference in not cramping/contracting. Unfortunately, there are other strong and negative side effects from the magnesium that I'm not enjoying so much. Two days down, eight to go! We're praising God that the baby is healthy and that he's staying right where he should be!

I'm so thankful that Leif's been with me these days. He helps distract me and keeps me company. Today there was a sewage problem underneath the building and the room was really stinky and cold and stuffy and I got really lightheaded and almost fainted. Leif called the nurse and she took out the I.V., opened the window, and rubbed my temples. It was very sweet. Tomorrow I'll be in a different room and Nettie will keep me company.




While Leif was leading the Buryat Partnership this afternoon, Lisa and Martina came over and made a TON of really yummy food for our family for this next week. What a HUGE gift! Anna watched the kids and got Ella down for a nap- and even cleaned!- while they cooked and I slept (It was hard to sleep last night as my heart was racing from the magnesium). God is teaching me so much about His love. I see how valuable it is to reach out to people in tangible ways when they're in need. I'm so thankful for the family we have in Jesus!

Thankful for Help

On Tuesday, Leif had to take care of a lot of running around/document stuff and Renata and Nettie were so sweet to take the girls and Matty while Leif and the Brubachers did their necessary work. Renata emailed me these pictures later that day. I'm so thankful that the girls are having fun, even during this hard time.



Ella was SUCH a good girl and fell asleep right on Renata's bed for her nap time. I guess she seemed pretty delighted that the kitty was right there with her. She was in baby heaven.



Anneka always loves it when she can be with Matty. (take note of her skirt over the pants... Anneka has been picking out her own clothes and dressing herself. Sometimes the combinations are quite interesting).


Today more helpers will come over to watch the girls. We're so grateful!

Tomorrow I will have a doctor's appointment and will be able to get a whole gamete (sp?) of tests as well as an ultrasound to try and figure out what's causing the contractions and hopefully get them to stop. As always, we appreciate your prayers!

Bed rest

This past week has been scary, as I had contractions and other worrisome symptoms. Leif was gone in Mongolia at the time, and at one point my friends were packing my bag for the hospital and I was saying goodbye to my little girls... and didn't know when I'd see them again. Thankfully God took good care of me and provided many different friends to stay with me and the girls until Leif returned. He was able to get on a train that only goes every 2 weeks and return early. It's so nice to have him back!

For an undetermined time, I'm on bed rest. This can be hard to explain to little Ella, who wants her mama's attention frequently. Leif has been really good with the girls, though, and he is good at distracting them away from me.

There were so many things going through my mind as Renata, Martina, and Shawna (midwife) were taking me to the hospital. I'm only 26 weeks pregnant, and Shawna was told they don't try and save babies here that early. I kept going back to the fact that this little boy is God's and is in His loving hands. When things are scary or sad or confusing, there is this wonderful truth to hold onto.

And now that I'm home, there's so much to be thankful for! The contractions have stopped, God provided so many people to show His love and care for me, I'm not in the hospital and can rest at home, Leif was able to come home early, etc. I'm amazed at how many people have called or stopped by to pray for me or to offer help.

And now that I'm on bed rest, I want to use this time wisely. It sounds tempting to just watch movies all day (and maybe some day I will do this), but with little ones it's often hard to take time to really focus on God and His Word and to draw near to Him without a bazillion distractions. I want to use this time for these things... and to read to the girls and to pray and to sing praises to Jesus.

We appreciate your continued prayers for this little one inside of me. We pray that he'll arrive fully developed and at full term. Pray for Leif, too, as he now has even more on his plate. Pray that we'll all go through this time well, drawing nearer and nearer to God.